Mayoralty candidate Karlo Nograles has offered his thoughts on how to ease the flooding problem in Davao City especially after Typhoon “Kristine” battered the country.
Some areas like Camarines Sur, Batangas and Cavite were devastated by floods.
The former Civil Service Commission chief noted that Davao City has the same concern over flood control and stressed that this issue must be addressed urgently given the rising frequency of extreme weather events that has been affecting the country.
“Our prayers go out to our countrymen in Bicol and all the areas in the country adversely affected by the effects of Typhoon Kristine, kasama po dito Ang ating mga government front liners at private sector volunteers na tumutulong po sa mga nasalanta,” he stated.
Nograles also warned that typhoons and rains hitting all parts of the country have increased in intensity in recent years.
“It is not only likely that Davao City will experience these extremely weather events. It is an inevitability. Given this reality, we have to address the flooding issues of Davao sooner rather than later and doing so will involve urgent public infra solutions as well as eco or green initiatives,” Nograles explained adding:
“In short, comprehensive dapat ang approach natin. Hindi puedeng reactive at piecemeal ang diskarte. Buhay at kabuhayan kasi ang nakasalalay kapag nagbabaha sa Davao City.”
Nograles who is running against former President Rodrigo Duterte, his former boss, noted that the rise in water levels even in urban areas in Davao City has already become a pattern in recent years with downpours forcing evacuations and disrupting power delivery and transportation.
He said over the months, he has observed that Magsaysay and JP Laurel Avenues as well as the Matina area were covered in nearly waist deep waters.
“Seasonal heavy rains and flooding are already part of our lives because of climate change so we need to focus on doable solutions. Those we can control and implement. We need to upgrade our drainage systems, increase efforts and invest in heavy equipment to always desilt and declog our canals. We need to revisit the anti flooding programs recommended by JICA and find a way to mobilize funds for these” Nograles stressed.
He emphasized that addressing flood issues doesn’t end with infrastructures but with implementing planting trees programs.
“But let’s not just end with infrastructure fixes because incorporating nature-based solutions to mitigate flood risks is equally important. Planting more trees and enforcing stricter regulations on waste and trash disposal are crucial. Of course, we always welcome inputs from Davaoenos because everyone is a stakeholder here. Nasaan ka man at sino ka man sa Davao City ay apektado ka Ng ulan at baha”he said adding nothing is more important than preparation with Davao City being the premiere City in Mindanao.
“Nothing beats preparation. We have the skills, the local talent and the proper mindset to protect our City and the residents from damaging floods. Kaya natin ito Basta sama-sama Tayong kikilos at gagalaw,” Nograles said.
